University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst is a public university in MA, founded in 1863 and offers Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees for undergraduates and Master’s and Doctoral degrees for graduate students. The undergraduate enrollment is 24,233, and the graduate enrollment is 7,409. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a moderately selective school, receiving 40,315 applications and accepting 65.3% of applicants. The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s athletics teams competes at the club, intramural, and varsity levels. Additionally, the University of Massachusetts Amherst employs 1,452 full-time instructional staff (95% of whom hold doctorate degrees) and has a 17:1 student to faculty ratio.
Empowerly Score®
64
University Score
- School Performance
- Extracurriculars
- Standardized Tests
- Essays
Empowerly Score®
At Empowerly, we prioritize data to customize our approach to student counseling. College admissions is becoming more selective by the year, so it’s never been more important than now to prepare in advance and give yourself the best chance for success.
Take the Empowerly QuizESSAYS
Applicants applying to the University of Massachusetts Amherst will apply through the Common Application. Applicants will be required to write one personal statement based on a set of prompts within the application and will also be required to answer an additional supplementary essay question(s).
Deadlines For Submitting Applications
Early Decision Application Deadline
November 5th
Regular Application Deadline
January 15th
ATTENDANCE FACTORS
- Academic GPA - Very Important
- Rigor of Secondary School Record - Very Important
- Extracurricular Activities - Important
- Character/Personal Qualities - Important
- Application Essay - Important
Average Acceptance Rate
65.30%
STUDENT LIFE
The University of Massachusetts, also known as UMass, was established 150 years ago and has matured into a public land-grant research university with an R1 Doctoral University status for its very high research activity and membership in the Five College Consortium. The school has four campuses: the UMass Amherst campus, UMass Boston campus, UMass Dartmouth campus, and UMass Lowell campus. The UMass Amherst campus (or the main campus) spans 1,450 acres and is the largest of all, while the other three campuses are mid-sized. UMass Amherst is also home to the school’s academic, athletic, administrative, research, and recreational activities and is the oldest and founding campus of the four university branches.
With approximately 1,000 faculty members, the institution is organized into nine colleges and schools. The school’s college academic degrees consist of 109 undergraduate, 77 master’s, and doctoral degrees. Part of the school’s historic buildings includes the Old College Library (whose image is used as the school’s symbol) and the College Drill, the first gymnasium on the campus. The campus is home to the school honors college called the Commonwealth Honors College, which aims to intensify its students’ academic curriculum. It has over 30,590 students: 23,569 undergraduates and 7,078 graduate and professional students in the fall of 2018. The student demographic consists of students from different parts of the world, with 23% making up the international students. A 2021 review ranks the school 66th and 136th amongst the best universities nationally and globally.
Housing
- 62% of students live on campus
- Guaranteed housing for freshmen
- Freshmen required to live on campus
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst campus is home to the most extensive university housing system. The school has 52 residential houses for over 52,000 students, with four different undergraduate houses. The campus housing system offers students and faculty members different options, ranging from married to single students. All the houses are grouped into seven based on their location, and each location is provided with reading, recreational, dining, and kitchen centers for residents.
Life as a Student
University of Massachusetts, Amherst campus offers a range of faculties that provides students with the best, most secure, and healthy living-learning experience. It is home to various student organizations and clubs, including a solid Greek society, an active media (Daily Collegian), and the athletic team. The teams are divided into male and female teams, who compete in NCAA Division 1 as members of the Atlantic Conference using the names Minutemen and Minutewomen.
TOP MAJORS
Economics
Psychology
Biology
Liberal Arts and Humanities
Communications
Public Health
SERVICES
Health and Safety
- 24-hour trained security on campus
- Student security patrol
- Late night ride/safe escort service available
Student Services
- Health Center
- Legal Advice
- Psychological Counseling
- Women's Center
Athletics
Varsity
Varsity
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Track and Field
Cross-Country Running
Basketball
Cheerleading
Crew
Field Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Cross-Country Running
Club
Club
Triathlon
Baseball
Crew
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (downhill)
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Table Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Wrestling
Triathlon
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (downhill)
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Wrestling
Intramural
Intramural
Badminton
Basketball
Football
Racquetball
Sand Volleyball
Badminton
Basketball
Football
Racquetball
Sand Volleyball
Table Tennis
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
85% of first-year students will receive scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities this year from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
*All costs below are estimates and may differ based on your circumstances.
- Tuition/Fees (Resident) - $16,834, (Out-Of-State) - $38,053
- Room/Board - $14,644
- Total (Resident) - $31,478, (Out-Of-State) - $52,697
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP / AFFILIATES
HISTORY
The University of Massachusetts – Amherst was founded in 1863 when the Federal Morrill Land-grant Colleges Act made provisions for establishing colleges and institutions throughout Massachusetts. The state legislature took advantage of this and founded a school in Massachusetts to instruct citizens on agricultural, mechanical, and military arts. The school was named the Massachusetts Agricultural College, nicknamed Massachusetts Aggies or M.A.C. Change was needed after the tenure of two presidents at a school with no college buildings and students to show for their efforts. So in 1867, William S. Clark was named the 3rd president of the school and oversaw the appointment of faculty members, completion of the school plan, and enrollment of the first class of 60 students (which is why today, he is regarded as the founding father of the college).
The school became fully coeducational in 1892 when it admitted its first class of full-time female students. Before this time, the school had already started accepting female students, but only as part-time students. Several buildings were added to accommodate the school’s growing number and changes, including buildings for female dormitories. While enrollments were slow during the 19th century, they began to pick up in the early 20th century. This increase in enrollment prompted the school to expand its curriculum to include liberal arts, and the new curriculum was rolled out in 1907. The expansion in curriculum resulted in the school being renamed the Massachusetts State College in 1931. After World War II, the school’s population once again soared because of the passage of the G.I Bill, which gave veterans enough funding to return to school. As a result, the school leadership pushed for more facilities in the 1940s-1960s. Finally, the school achieved university status and was renamed the University of Massachusetts in 1947.
The University of Massachusetts at Amherst became a member of the Association of American Universities and an R1 research university due to its level of research activities. The school is home to various research centers, including the John W. Lederle Graduate Research Center. It offers a host of undergraduates, graduates, and professional degrees programs. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the first, largest, and flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts, with a history of graduating Fulbright Award winners.